AN angry text fired off by billionaire James Packer demanding Channel 9 boss David Gyngell remove a news truck from outside his Bondi Beach pad ignited the sensational street brawl between two of Sydneys highest-profile businessmen.

The text, sent moments after the casino mogul jetted into Sydney from Jerusalem, left Mr Gyngell — who has since admitted he started the fight — seething with rage after months of escalating tensions between the friends of 35 years.

“I didn’t even know you were in f ... ing Australia,’’ Mr Gyngell is heard yelling in a video of the bare-knuckled fist fight on Sunday afternoon.

This afternoon Mr Packer was spotted boarding a private plane to Melbourne and has since landed at Essendon Airport.

photo galleryJames Packer fights with David Gyngell

Billionaire James Packer and Channel Nine's David Gyngell square up on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM1 of 13

Billionaire James Packer and Channel Nine's David Gyngell come to blows a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM2 of 13

Billionaire James Packer throws a punch at Channel Nine's David Gyngell on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM3 of 13

Billionaire James Packer and Channel Nine's David Gyngell grapple with each other during a fight on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM4 of 13

Billionaire James Packer and Channel Nine's David Gyngell grapple with each other during a fight on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM5 of 13

Billionaire James Packer and Channel Nine's David Gyngell just moment away from toppling to the group during a fight on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM6 of 13

Billionaire James Packer and Channel Nine's David Gyngell wrestle with each other on the ground during a fight on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM7 of 13

Billionaire James Packer and Channel Nine's David Gyngell wrestle with each other on the ground during a fight on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM8 of 13

Billionaire James Packer and Channel Nine's David Gyngell wrestle with each other on the ground during a fight on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM9 of 13

Billionaire James Packer and Channel Nine's David Gyngell wrestle with each other on the ground during a fight on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM10 of 13

Billionaire James Packer seethes after a fight with David Gyngell on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM11 of 13

Billionaire James Packer seethes after a fight with David Gyngell on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM12 of 13

David Gyngell walks away from the fight with billionaire James Packer. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM13 of 13

Billionaire James Packer and Channel Nine's David Gyngell square up on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM

Billionaire James Packer and Channel Nine's David Gyngell come to blows a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM

Billionaire James Packer throws a punch at Channel Nine's David Gyngell on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM

Billionaire James Packer and Channel Nine's David Gyngell grapple with each other during a fight on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM

Billionaire James Packer and Channel Nine's David Gyngell grapple with each other during a fight on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM

Billionaire James Packer and Channel Nine's David Gyngell just moment away from toppling to the group during a fight on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM

Billionaire James Packer and Channel Nine's David Gyngell wrestle with each other on the ground during a fight on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM

Billionaire James Packer and Channel Nine's David Gyngell wrestle with each other on the ground during a fight on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM

Billionaire James Packer and Channel Nine's David Gyngell wrestle with each other on the ground during a fight on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM

Billionaire James Packer and Channel Nine's David Gyngell wrestle with each other on the ground during a fight on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM

Billionaire James Packer seethes after a fight with David Gyngell on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM

Billionaire James Packer seethes after a fight with David Gyngell on a Bondi street on Sunday. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM

David Gyngell walks away from the fight with billionaire James Packer. Picture: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COM

photo galleryJames Packer and David Gyngell

Best of mates: Channel Nine CEO David Gyngell and James Packer at the ACP party in Sydney. Picture: News Corp1 of 12

Packer and now-estranged wife Erica Baxter in happier times. during the men's final match in Melbourne. The relationship between Packer and Gyngell is said to have broken down after Packer and his second wife Erica announced their separation six months ago. Picture: Getty2 of 12

Erica Packer and David Gyngell at the David Jones launch of its new American Express credit card at a converted car wash on Darlinghurst Road in Sydney. Picture: News Limited3 of 12

Jamie Packer and Erica Baxter wedding : Best man David Gyngell arrives with James' mother Ros Packer at Packer and Baxter's June 2007 wedding in the French Riviera. Picture:Tim/Anderson4 of 12

David Gyngell and wife Leila McKinnon leave the hospital after visiting James and Erica Packer at the Mater Hospital in Crows Nest following the birth of their daughter.5 of 12

David Gyngell and journalist wife Leila McKinnon out and about in Sydney. Picture: News Corp6 of 12

David Gyngell was god son to Kerry Packer. He arrives at Packer's state memorial at the Sydney Opera House February 17, 2006 in Sydney, Australia. Kerry Packer, Australia's richest man at the time of his death, was known for his business dealings with Publishing and Broadcasting Limited (PBL), Nine Television Network and Australian Consolidated Press, which produces many of Australia's top-selling magazines. Picture: Getty7 of 12

David Gyngell leaves James Packers unit block on the cnr of Campbell Pde and Sir Thomas Mitchell rd Bondi. The pair emerged from crisis talks at Packer’s apartment this morning, and released a joint statement.It read: “We have been friends for 35 years and still are”. “In that time we have had our fair share of ups and downs. We respect each other and neither of us will be commenting further.”8 of 12

The scene outside James Packer's unit block on the cnr of Campbell Pde and Sir Thomas Mitchell rd Bondi where a fight erupted between Paker and Gyngell. Picture: John Grainger9 of 12

The scene outside James Packer's unit block on the cnr of Campbell Pde and Sir Thomas Mitchell rd Bondi where a fight erupted between Paker and Gyngell. Picture: John Grainger10 of 12

Media wait outside James Packer's unit block on the cnr of Campbell Pde and Sir Thomas Mitchell rd Bondi where a fight erupted between Paker and Gyngell. Picture: John Grainger11 of 12

James Packer and estranged wife Erica Baxter are seen on the first day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, Derby Day, at Flemington Race Course in November 2007 in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Getty12 of 12

Best of mates: Channel Nine CEO David Gyngell and James Packer at the ACP party in Sydney. Picture: News Corp

Packer and now-estranged wife Erica Baxter in happier times. during the men's final match in Melbourne. The relationship between Packer and Gyngell is said to have broken down after Packer and his second wife Erica announced their separation six months ago. Picture: Getty

Erica Packer and David Gyngell at the David Jones launch of its new American Express credit card at a converted car wash on Darlinghurst Road in Sydney. Picture: News Limited

Jamie Packer and Erica Baxter wedding : Best man David Gyngell arrives with James' mother Ros Packer at Packer and Baxter's June 2007 wedding in the French Riviera. Picture:Tim/Anderson

David Gyngell and wife Leila McKinnon leave the hospital after visiting James and Erica Packer at the Mater Hospital in Crows Nest following the birth of their daughter.

David Gyngell and journalist wife Leila McKinnon out and about in Sydney. Picture: News Corp

David Gyngell was god son to Kerry Packer. He arrives at Packer's state memorial at the Sydney Opera House February 17, 2006 in Sydney, Australia. Kerry Packer, Australia's richest man at the time of his death, was known for his business dealings with Publishing and Broadcasting Limited (PBL), Nine Television Network and Australian Consolidated Press, which produces many of Australia's top-selling magazines. Picture: Getty

David Gyngell leaves James Packers unit block on the cnr of Campbell Pde and Sir Thomas Mitchell rd Bondi. The pair emerged from crisis talks at Packer’s apartment this morning, and released a joint statement.It read: “We have been friends for 35 years and still are”. “In that time we have had our fair share of ups and downs. We respect each other and neither of us will be commenting further.”

The scene outside James Packer's unit block on the cnr of Campbell Pde and Sir Thomas Mitchell rd Bondi where a fight erupted between Paker and Gyngell. Picture: John Grainger

The scene outside James Packer's unit block on the cnr of Campbell Pde and Sir Thomas Mitchell rd Bondi where a fight erupted between Paker and Gyngell. Picture: John Grainger

Media wait outside James Packer's unit block on the cnr of Campbell Pde and Sir Thomas Mitchell rd Bondi where a fight erupted between Paker and Gyngell. Picture: John Grainger

James Packer and estranged wife Erica Baxter are seen on the first day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, Derby Day, at Flemington Race Course in November 2007 in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Getty

His mother, Roslyn Packer, had arrived to see her son at Bondi at 7.25am in a white BMW. She made no comment.

Earlier, a clean-shaven David Gyngell emerged from this Dover Heights home just after 6.30am.

“You can bugger off boys, I’m off to work,” he said with a broad smile, as it emerged NSW police are investigating the fight.

It is understood Mr Packer seriously considered suing his once-close friend for assault on the basis three witnesses could testify on his behalf.

However, he decided not to inflame the situation further.

After touching down in Sydney, Mr Packer, Australia’s richest man, was believed to have been intending to catch up with his rumoured love interest, supermodel Miranda Kerr, who arrived on Friday.

A well-placed source said the Crown Resorts chairman was annoyed when told by his security team that the truck, bearing a Nine logo, was parked near his $22 million beach pad.

“Packer basically told him to remove his f ... ing truck from his street,’’ one source said.

Mr Gyngell, the hard-charging CEO of the $2.2 billion Nine Entertainment company, texted back that he would be waiting at his home to explain.

But one witness reportedly said Mr Gyngell engaged in a heated phone conversation just moments before Mr Packer arrived, saying he was “going to punch” him.

When Mr Packer arrived at his luxury retreat just before 2pm on Sunday, he found Mr Gyngell’s white Audi SUV parked blocking his private driveway on Sir Thomas Mitchell Rd.

Exclusive photographs show Mr Packer turning sharply on his heel after getting out of his chauffeur-driven sedan to face Mr Gyngell.

“Within seconds it just exploded,’’ said photographer Brendan Beirne, who witnessed the fight. “They were beating the hell out of each other — fists were flying.’’

Packer gets Gyngell in a head lock as a minder wrestles the billionaire. Pictures: BEIRNESource:Media Mode

Mr Packer, 47, his face red with rage, neck veins bulging and jaw clenched, was seen throwing at least three punches, while still grasping his BlackBerry in one hand.

Mr Gyngell, 46, in bare feet and with grizzly beard, dodged the blows like a martial-arts veteran and let fly with a series of punches to Mr Packer’s head.

The pair, who have been friends since school and acted as best men at their respective weddings, exchanged a torrent of expletives.

Wearing a cap emblazoned with the logo of his RatPac movie company, Mr Packer used his towering 198cm frame to clamp Mr Gyngell in a headlock and wrestled him to the footpath.

It took three men — Mr Packer’s security guard, his chauffeur and a fellow passenger in his car — to break up the melee and shepherd the mogul inside his house.

“Leave it James, just leave it,’’ one of the men said.

A man believed to be a doctor arrived at the Packer home about an hour later, while another person returned to the footpath to find his sunglasses.

Some of the photos show the burly Mr Packer with his right eye bruised, his left cheekbone swelling up quickly and his nose sporting a red mark. A source close to him denied he had lost a tooth.

“Both of them are terrible fighters,’’ another source said.

With the fight leaving both men embarrassed, it emerged the Channel 9 truck that triggered the violence had been parked nearby by off-duty employee Nick Tokic, who intended to use the vehicle for an early-morning job.

“I happen to live there (near Mr Packer’s house),’’ he said. A source said the misunderstanding over the truck was “the straw that broke the back” after months of verbal sparring between the pair.

The relationship has been rocky since Mr Gyngell confronted his friend and questioned his decision to divorce his second wife, Erica Baxter, eight months ago. Ms Baxter and their three children have since moved to a $14.7 million mansion in Los Angeles.

Media executives have said Mr Gyngell has also made disparaging remarks about Mr Packer’s ability to win government and media support for his $2 billion high-rollers’ casino resort planned for Sydney’s Barangaroo.

The Nine chief was also unimpressed that his long-time friend had grown close to Seven West Media owner Kerry Stokes and News Corp Australia chairman Lachlan Murdoch, particularly when he was leading Network Ten.

Mr Murdoch and Crown executive deputy chairman John Alexander, who is also on Mr Stokes’ Seven West Media board, visited Mr Packer at his beach house.

A box of seafood and gourmet food, including blueberries, bacon, caviar and pastrami, were ordered in.

A calm and freshly shaven Mr Gyngell also visited about 9am, telling Mr Packer he was sorry for the confrontation.

Asked whether Mr Packer had a glass jaw, Mr Gyngell said “nah mate”.

“Thirty-five years of friendship doesn’t change on a few of those — thanks guys,” he said before heading off to his office.

Nine issued a joint statement yesterday saying the pair remained friends and over 35 years had their “fair share of ups and downs”.

“Life is complex and today is a sad day for James,’’ one source said.

Packer and Gyngell went at it for 52 seconds. Pictures: BEIRNE/CHOWN/MEDIA-MODE.COMSource:Media Mode

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